Post-Ad Class Recovery

It's been 24 hours hours since my ad class ended, and I've almost recovered. I feel bad about myself each time I leave that class for two big reasons:

1)  Our class is always held downtown, where I long to work. It's energetic, it's cool, it's convenient. It's everything my workplace lacks -- and I'm not just talking about the fountains, the marble, the escalators, the elevators. Comparatively, the bathrooms in our section of the building have toilets that barely flush and faucets that you can't count on. I leave class feeling mediocre, boring. Suburban. (Sorry to my suburbanite friends, but you can't make an argument that suburban offices have energy surrounding them like downtown offices.)

2) My ads get shredded. I'm definitely not the only one, and I hear that any creative class (design, drawing, etc.) is brutal, but it doesn't matter. I'm used to succeeding! Or failing and at least "getting it." Consequently, my ego is roasted during and after class. Each time.

So, it's become a trend to feel shitty afterward. I wish it were as "easy" as icing my knee or taking some Advil, but until I get a thumbs up, I'll continue to feel this way. Or rather at least until the next day. Like I said, it's 24 hours, and I'm finally getting excited about creating something again (even if it will likely be ripped apart).

I still love this class. I get to day dream about different ad ideas while I head to work and look for cool art to illustrate it. Or draw it myself! It kinda bums me out I'm not a natural creating ads, b/c working as a creative is pretty romantic (just forget about the late nights at the office for a minute and work with me). It would also be wonderful to have a new Next Step in my career happen to click without my expecting it.

But, I didn't sign up with the goal to work in an ad agency, and I'm taking this class for fun. Thank God. It makes the rejection of my ad ideas much easier to brush off.

On to the next campaign! Bring it on.

90% Decided on the Olympic Distance Tri

It's been a week since I resumed my workout routine, and I'm already sore. I'm also almost done convincing myself to commit to an Olympic-distance triathlon, which is double the distance I usually race.  Considering my bad knees, it would be a huge accomplishment for me.

Here's my reasoning: I've already done an aquabike (Olympic distance swim and bike) and just need to nail down the 6-mile run. That's it! I can do a 5k (3.1 miles) now, but here's the catch: I have great days and really sucky days. Some days I'm flying and feel great afterward; other days, I have to stop 10 min. into it b/c of the pain. And if I do get solid run in, the recovery is iffy, too: sometimes I'm totally fine and can do a heavy lower-body workout again after a day of rest without problems. Other times, I might be able to continue to work out but will have significant knee pain for several days -- or a week -- after.

That's where I'm at after this past weekend. Because of my Olympic distance dreams, I jumped back into working out by incorporating a run into my week, so I can see how it feels to regularly jog (the past two seasons I basically winged it on race days). I've figured out that I'm much more successful and pain-free if I run when my legs are well-warmed up, either after biking or swimming or at the end of the day, so that's what I did on Sunday. (Icing, taking Aleve and massaging/stretching my muscles well is a given.) But lo and behold, pain. I squeaked out 3.2 miles in 32 min., which I'm really appreciative of being able to do, but I was in pain and basically kept going until the adrenaline covered up the pain. That's how I got to where I'm at now, so it's not a practice I want to keep up. (For the concerned friends out there, just know that if the pain doesn't go away, I do stop. It ain't worth ruining my knees entirely).

So that's where I'm at: the test-phase. Perhaps I should see a running or tri coach...

***

By the way, being back at the gym is great. I really like seeing the people I've come to look forward to in the mornings, and it feels good to slowly build up to where I was at the end of August. That said, I'm not breaking any records. I swam much more slowly today, barely getting up to 70 percent of my heart rate, and really tried to focus on my stroke. I did a few laps of the breast stroke and backstroke -- I stick to freestyle normally -- to shake things up and didn't worry about my calories (300 burned during the same time I'd normally do 400). I'll kick it into higher gear in November or maybe the coming weeks, but for now, this is good.

No More Inflatable Mattresses for My Drunk-Ass Friends

I had the girls' night this weekend and am proud to say that I can still host a party so good someone will puke. Of course, it happens earlier than it used to (before midnight as opposed to 4 a.m.) and is generally prompted by a lot less alcohol (read: low tolerance levels!), but it still indicates a good night.

My poor friend who was sick reminisced as she attempted to shake the nausea about all the nights we had spent drinking, dealing with crazy guys at the bars and just being crazy 25-year-olds. A sign that we're old (besides the throwing up part): in addition to setting her up on a couch -- a significant upgrade to the inflatable mattresses we used to crash on! -- I sent a text to her husband to let him know she'd be staying over. Back in the day, we didn't have anyone to answer to except maybe concerned friends. I debated at contacting him -- I didn't want him to think I needed him to pick her up or that she wasn't welcome -- but realized that she was part of a pair, and I would want the same done for me.

Yup, times have changed. And it's all for the better.

***
About the food! It was a success. I had so many dips and appetizers we decided to skip the pizza and saved room for dessert: a giant chocolate chip cookie cake and amazing Paula Dean red velvet cupcakes from a friend.

The portion of the meal I made myself shrunk dramatically than what I planned, but it was for the best: I got to enjoy myself! The point of the night was to hang out with some of my favorite chicas, not run around the kitchen. And it's not like they didn't have plenty of food ... it just wasn't homemade.

I call it a win-win.

New Restaurant: Fianco (3 of 5 Zs)

Brian and I headed to Fianco last night for a nice dinner before he headed to Vegas with his friends. Fianco's gotten solid reviews in TimeOut Chicago, Chicago Magazine and Metromix, and the menu -- would it be called rustic Italian? -- seemed appealing and not too expensive.

Also of note: Fianco's in the space of the former Winston's Market, whose owner didn't really know how to pull the place together. Brian and I liked the concept of Winston's -- a place to pick up a fresh sandwich or salad, or takeaway something pre-prepared for dinner -- but were always finding it missed the mark, including in atmosphere,which should have been a home run given the exposed brick walls and high ceilings. It seemed empty, awkward, half-way upscale (the exposed brick, nice wood, art) and half-way done on-the-cheap (wobbly formica tables, awkwardly placed; a semi-coffee shop feel with one type of coffee that came out of a pump: regular). I don't need perfection, but every time we went, I was uncomfortable. And that's no fun.

We were uber curious to see what Fianco would be like. And it was good -- 3 of 5 Zs -- including the atmosphere, which is warm, comfortable, perfect for a first-date (they know this, given the number of two-seaters) yet still easy for a small group. So you can imagine our surprise to learn it's the same owner! I mean, I literally sat there during dinner and, looking around the room at the full house, said, "I feel bad for the past owner. He'd probably drive by and see it so successful and feel bad."

It's true, on a cold, rainy night, there were more people in the restaurant than we saw in all our combined visits to Winstons -- people are receptive. The critics were right that it's worth a try. I had "Gigli," horn-shaped pasta with mushrooms, a little ricotta, tomatoes and lamb sausage. Overall, the dish was tasty but standard. Brian's was really tasty: bison ravioli with a corn-butter-parmesan sauce. The sauce was definitely buttery but lovely: there were corn kernals, which I thought was unique. Our apps were good: he had simple but flavorful green beans, and I had the octopus (cooked well but almost too heavy of a grilled, salty taste).

If you go, above all, GET THE GELATO AND SORBET. There's a large assortment, and in one dessert you can choose three. We had pistachio, hazelnut and apple cider sorbet. Each were wonderful! Not overpowering, light, and sprikled with crumbled biscotti and mint -- a perfect ending.

There was a mixup when we sat down of some sort; after 15 min. of no sign of a waiter we had to ask for one, and it was another few minutes before our server came -- who we later found out had just arrived when she wasn't able to answer our question about the daily farmer's salad. (She later noted they added 7 tables that day; maybe bad staff planning?). Although it was a little annoying, she was nice, and everything else went on without a hitch. Not sure if it was for the wait or being locals, but we did get a 15% off card for Tuesday or Wednesday nights. Perfect for our date night; we'll be back.

Note: As of this posting, the Web site says it doesn't except reservations for parties under six people, but it's incorrect and needs to be updated. We ended up being seated without a reservation, luckily, and I'm happy they do accept reservations. Restaurants that don't are my pet peeve, but that's another topic for another day. :)

Girls' Night Menu, Revised

I had to revise  my girls' night menu.

When I planned it two weeks ago, I didn't count on it's being cold and sprinkly -- bad for grilling and not fun, which is the point of the whole evening. I have very few dishes at this point in my repetoire that I'd feel comfortable cooking for a small group, so I decided I'll order my favorite pizza -- grilled chicken with fresh vegetables -- and a plain pizza from Zig Zags. People always like it, and it's still unique and fresh, which what I want.

Pulling back on grilling bummed me out because I wanted the main to be my own cooking. But I went ahead -- after all, I'd be able to do the tomato mozarella salad and homemade guacamole, right? When I got to the store, avocados were $2 each AND overripe -- like in the brown way. So I bought that too.

I'm down to having the tomato salad be my own creation! That's so lame! Thankfully, I'm the only one of my friends who would care. They're the type of people who just enjoy getting together and do not expect a huge home-cooked meal. It just woulda been nice.

Next time!

Take That! My Own New Box of Crayons

I had my second advertising class this week, the first one that included critiques of our work and opinions. I had some winning comments and ideas and some losers, but the best part of all came from preparing for class. I got colored pencils. And crayons. Brand new.


Who doesn't love a box of freshly bought, never-used crayons? I distinctly remember owning oodles of crayons in every color -- burnt sienna, sea foam green ... you know the names -- that still had a lot of life left in them, yet I begged my mom for new ones, just so I could break them in. I was a goody goody and didn't steal when I was a kid, except for one thing: a brand, new bourdeaux-color crayon from our family friend's supply. Being the good child I was, I confessed even though I could have gotten away with it. Giving up the crayon was hard and embarrassing.

I can't remember the last box I bought, likely for 7th grade art. But at age 29, I've got a brand new set, no permission needed. And if I so choose, I can buy another box. It's not like the gently used ones would go to waste; I'd donate them to a program for the disadvantaged.

But it's been more than just owning a new box though, which is sweet but has its limits in excitement. Breaking open that box along the perforation made me excited to create things again. Draw. Color outside the lines. And not just the typical flower, balloon or barn I seemed to fall back on when I couldn't create anything masterful. This class is pushing me to draw out big ideas for new -- adult -- challenges.

So, might I suggest you buy a box of crayons, too? If you don't do it for the rush of breaking out the ol' cornflower or raw umber alone, I promise you'll have fun doodling.

(Note: If you look at the list of crayons I linked to, you'll see some of the color names I listed here were from editions beyond my birth year. But I swear I had those crayons in my box of Crayola! Perhaps they weren't discontinued. Or maybe I never had "new" crayons. Hmmmm.)

Give Indian Food A Chance (Specifically Chicago Curry House)

I came to work today excited to share my story about another successful Tuesday Night  at Chicago Curry House. But I didn't really get anywhere because I was immediately greeted with  the typical "I don't like spicey food" reply I hear when Indian food comes up.

Bor-ing. And frustrating, because half the time when I hear a comment like that, it's usually because people are equating using spice with being spicey, as in super hot on your tongue. Changes are, they ate a Hot Tamale, realized they didn't like their tongue to feel as if it were on fire, then swore off "spicey" food. Or maybe they did try a curry, but instead of its being a yellow curry or a dish simply made with curry spice, it was green curry, which I'm convinced could raise the dead.

The truth is I don't like foods that are so spicy they burn my tongue either. But I do like spice, and Chicago Curry House has got it. I wish I could convince these "spice haters" to try it! Pictured above is the delectable and oh-so-scrumptious Curry House Special Vegetable Dinner, with (and I'm going to cut-and-paste here)  Dal Makhunu, Palak Paneer, Aloo Ghobi, Navaratan Korma Served with Basmati Rice, Naan and kheer. That translates to spinach and cheese; lentils; chick peas; cauliflowr; raita (sp?); a vegetable jaipur thingy; and cold slices of tomato, lemon and cucumber. At right is the yummy chicken korma.

I can't talk about Indian food worth shit; I'm not an expert by any means and can barely pronounce the name, yet list the ingredients. But Brian is! And so is my friend Paula. And surely all the Indians we see eating there are experts as well. I can't speak for the strangers, but reviews so far are stellar from people who have taken my recommendation.

It's a winning place -- I give it 4 of 5 Zs -- because the food's great, the service is top (the manager personally has come around each time we've been there, on top the wait staff being on their game) and the atmosphere is still nice -- you won't find questionable floors or tables that don't look clean.

I hope people make a visit. They opened this year (bad economy!) and the location is a little off beat (South Loop, 1/2 block west of State street), which all spells trouble. But if the reviews and steady crowd in the dining room is any indication, they should be fine. Crossing fingers! I don't want to only have Devon as a solid Indian option.

***
I just realized I never explained Tuesday Nights. When Brian and I first started dating, we discovered Tuesday Night to be a perfect mid-week date night for both of us. When we'd make plans, we always wanted to a try a new restaurant, and that's our goal. Sure, there have been many repeats, but above all, it's our night out, so much so that we've scheduled anniversary or birthday dinners specifically on Tuesday nights. Another bonus: restaurants are better mid-week -- but that's merely icing on the cake.

Of note: Through June -- or at least until I'm in class -- Tuesday Nights are actually Wednesday nights because my class meets Tuesdays. Regardless, it's Tuesday Night to us, and that's how I'll refer to it here.